water



Patented Sept. l2, 11939 I ma; WATER, AND MILDEW BESISTING COMPOUND AND-FABRIC of Maryland No Drawing. Application AprilZO, 1939,

Serial No. 268,948

24 Claims. (61. 134-11) The invention relates to an impregnating prepform of the invention the same being true of the aration for cellulosic and other materials and to the product produced by such impregnation, the present application being a continuation in part 5 of application No. 36,657, filed August 17, 1935 Fire, water and mildew resisting compound for cloth and other materials, the same being combined with application No. 125,427, filed February 12, 1937, of which the present application is 10 also a continuation in part.

The material which is most generally impregnated is of a fibrous nature and essentially porous, cotton being the fiber most generally employed, though the treatment is likewise adapted 15 to natural or artificial fiber from any source, provided it contains a large percentage of cellulose or material having similar properties. While the fibrous material is generally embodied in a fabric, there being a large demand'for a treated cotton duck, the fiber may be treated and used in other forms as rope, nets, and other fabrics, and the compound may be used in the impregnation of wood.

The preparation or treating compound is par- 35 ticularly devised to render the material to which it is applied flame-proof, mildew-proof, waterproof and termite and fungus proof, making the material incapable of supporting combustion and proof against the various forms of attack which my shorten the life of the cellulosic materials. This treating compound or productis also useful as a coating for other substances where these particular properties would be advantageous.

A primary object of the invention is the production of 2. treated fabric which is highly resistive to the action of the elements and substantially proof against the action of water, fire and mildew and particularly adapted for use as a covering for bus tops and for tents, tarpaulins,

m awnings, cab curtains, also in brattice cloths, fire screens, hatch and life boat covers, also for canopies and other covers, roofing, decking and side walls for construction and building purposes, it being also an object of the invention to provide ,5 a treated fiber which has the same properties and is adapted for use in the production of fabric, rope, cord and nets, the fiber also being used as a caulking material and for other packing, padding and the like. It has also been noted that go the treating compound discourages and excludes marine growth and the action of toredro worms so that it has great advantages for use in under water construction and for marine work in general.

g The treated fabric in the most highly approved treated fiber has the important advantages that it is equally elastic and pliable, flexible with and stronger than the untreated fabric of similar quality and age all of which properties result from, or are maintained or increased by the treatment which is applied primarily to render the fabricor fiber Water proof, mildew proof and fire proof. The fire proof property in particular is attained to a higher degree than has'been previously known or regarded aspossible by and with a single composition and hence a single treatment. This is an important consideration in its effect on the time required and hence the expense of the fabric. In the preferred form the product is non-tacky, though it may become tacky if an excess of certain materials is used. The fabric of the invention in the most highly approved form is fire proof to such a degree that it does not support combustion anddoes not retain a glow and fire therefore does not spread from one portion of the fabric to another so that where subjected to the action of fiame or a high degree of heat above the combustion temperature of the fabric, only the portion thus exposed is destroyed, 26 the immediately surrounding portions and the remainder of the fabric being intact.

The production in a single treatment and hence at a relatively low cost of a fabric which is both water proof and fire proof or resisting and which 30 is at the same time pliable, flexible, elastic, and of the full strength or of a greater strength than the untreated fabric is regarded as an important advance in the art, the mildew proof property being likewise an important advantage in that it prevents deterioration of the fabric on exposure to the weather. The treated fabric having the properties named all of which are embodied in the product in the most highly approved form has been found to meet in full all requirements as and in fact to be an ideal material for vehicle tops, tents, covers, etc., and the treated fiber is of great advantage for the purposes named.

The treated fabric or fiber of the invention is to the best advantage produced by a single treatment with an intimately and uniformly mixed composition, though this method of production may be varied by using several treatments instead of one, though this separate treatment is less economical and is believed to have no advantage over the single treatment.

The treating composition is an important feature of the invention, this product being a commercial product independently of the treated fabric. An ingredient of the treating composition which is-ofprimary importance isva' highlychlo-v highlychlorinated material or hydrocarbon for 'thispurpose, with satisfactory results is believed Y to be new, 'ashighly chlorinated materials: have his chlorine or hydrogen chloride under these cl.r

cumstances would attack the fabric and so reduce its strength :as toimalre it unsatisfactory for-the i merclally for E the able cost. v

been'previously regarded as having a detrimental :efiect on cotton-and similar fabrics ands lack of permanence in the treatment of fabrics which I are exposed to the elements as the chlorinated 1 hydrocarbon are known to become dechlorinated on exposureto the 1 weather.: The released purposes named. l Further. these vhighly chlo I rinate'd' materials have not. been: available compurposes in hand, 'i.: e., at suit- An important feature of this discovery on: v

v I which theiniventi'onzis based: is that these highly "whiclrithe fabric .of the invention is treated, be

chlorinated materials can, by mixturewlth water insoluble ingredients as in the composition with.

protected from dechloii'iuation by: action of the 1 weather such =dechlorination being a weather -Ieifect= and: due partly atleast to the action of :lig'ht, so thatthe' chlorine gases areretained and. v the fabric is 1 protected from the action :of chlowine, which is not released: until the fabric subjected to combustion temperatures.- when. the

chlorine gases are given; off thus serving tov ex- T tinguish: the fiameby-excludingoxygem:

The chlorinated materials which are available for this purpose, so far as isv known, are solid orsemi-solid vat normalv room temperatures; ex 1 amplesof: thematerials whieh may used: in this way are chlorinated paraffin, chlorinated r vinyl resin and chlorinated rubber; various: chic-- rinated organic materials which are solid or semi-solid at normal temperatures being adapted to this purpose, chlorinated paraffin being used in the present product. The chlorinated material may consist of or include a vegetable or mineral oil such as a straw colored petroleum oil obtained in the separation of parafiin. Vegetable oils which are useful for this purpose are tung oil, castor oil, soya. bean oil or it is also feasible to use fish 011, any of which in a highly chlorinated form may be added to the composition. The highly chlorinated material serves as a water proofing agent giving the fabric sufilcient resistance to water for all the purposes named, and when exposed to action of fire or to the temperature of combustion of the fabric, the chlorinated material releases chlorine which is understood to be in the form of hydrogen chloride which tends to exclude oxygen and stop the flame.

ing property but tends to deteriorate or de chlorlnate and destroy the fabric. Further, this materialdoes not prevent creeping of the fire or glow of the fibers as it is called. In order that the compound may be adapted for application to fabric a solvent for the chlorinated material is necessary. For this purpose any petroleum solvent or carbon tetrachloride or any of the solvent naphthas may be used, any volatile solvent which will dissolve the chlorinated material being available. It is not necessary to avoid the use of inflammable solvents as they are released and disappear as the fabric is dried.

awae'oe To protect the chlorinated material dram z able.

Drematme dechlorlnation and7to' prevent creep- ;ing. of fire, a relatively inert material is used and are highly heated, preventin slowing and creep ing of the; fire. Tovattain the water proof and weather resisting properties of the treated, fabric v v 1 v and to retain its fire resisting: properties; this material should be water insoluble. As a part v i of v the inert material's, borate which is substantially insoluble in water and :also in the volatile solvent referred. to serves to the bestfadvantage.

A manganous borate or'zlhc borate. any manallese borate or any other substantially insoluble {boratemay be used. The zinc borate is par- I tothe best advantagetthismaterialshould bein v part atleast'of a fusible nature, so that onex-i posurato fiame it covers'the fiber where they ticularly effective in making the fabriczmildew v v v combined and protected. While certain borates have been given as known examples of satisfacproof and magnesiumborateas well as the-salts v alcove named has beenv used with a reasonable degree of satisfaction; These; borates are particularly. desirableon vaccount of their low temp perature fusihilitybut a useful resultis obtained 7 z -with the highly chlorinated: materials: suitably tory minerals: for this purpose, other salts will serve the fire proofingfuncticnzwith almost equal satisfaction, and it is believed that any water .in-'- soluble salt} or any salt which lssubstantially inzsoluble in water and does not, give ofi': oxygen 1 -whenheatedand whichis fusible at thezcombustion temperaturesof the materials thus treated;

however, serves this latter: purpose to good ad salt in, giving mildew resisting and similar: BT01):- erties'essentlal :to resistancieto weathering attacks these materials are preferably introduced in finely divided solid form, no other satisfactory method of handling them being at present avail- These borates are particularly desirable on account of their low temperature fusibility but a useful result is obtained with the highly chlorinated materials otherwise combined and protected.

Other inert materials are found desirable in the treated fabric as a protection for the highly chlorinated ingredient and these inert materials have an effect in the protection of the fabric from burning but an important consideration is the pigmental quality which protects the chlorinated material from decomposition. As the pigment to a degree supplements the borate the proportions of borate may be considerably reduced as the quantity of pigment is increased and vice versa, some pigments being more effective By itself it does not retain this fire extinguishin this way than others. Examples of pigments available for this purpose are iron oxide, chromium oxide, titanium oxide antimony oxide and other relatively opaque water insoluble pigments. A loading agent as china. clay or barytes may also be used. In treating cotton duck the treating materials preferably do not exceed the weight of the fabric but with more open fabric more of these materials may be used. Over treatment tends to make the fabric tacky. The treatment may be reduced as desired, or less being satisfactory for some purposes.

The treating composition may be applied by immersing the fabric or fiber, by spraying, or

vantage and is more satisfactory than anyknown I I I v y f ngus vandmarine growth and-worms; All v v v even painting on with a brush, it being understood however that even when the material is applied only to the surface it has a marked penetrating effect so that the fibers and interstices are filled giving in all instances substantially the effect of impregnation. In accordance with the preferred application there should be no formation of a paint like coating or skin on the surface of the fabric the strands and even the fibers of the treated fabric in the preferred form being still visible though the color is variously changed and the fabric becomes of increased. pliability, retains its full elasticity, is water proof, mildew proof and flame proof and will not support combustion. While the area subjected to high temperature may be destroyed, becoming charred and losing its strength, there is in the preferred treatment no harmful flaming of the fabric and no harmful spread of the fire along the fabric by the action of glow or creeping of fire along the fibers.

It is also understood that while the proportions have been stated in considerable variation, the highly chlorinated material which is described as substantially 60% chlorinated, a considerable variation of the chlorination being contemplated,

, is regarded as essential to the result, the chlorinated material being preferably supplemented by the plasticizer so that the proportions of the first may be decreased in favor of the increase of the proportions of the second, the water insoluble borate or a similarly fusible water insoluble inert material which as above defined does not support combustion in that it does not give off oxygen when heated. It is also of importance though the proportions of the borate may be reduced in favor of other inert materials, i. e., filler and pigment, which protects the chlorinated material and being water insoluble do not interfere with the water proof character of the treated fabric. All these materials except the plasticizer are insoluble in the solvent for the chlorinated material. The preferred composition contains the insoluble borate, plasticizer, the highly chlorinated organic material, a solvent therefore which does not dissolve the borate and apigment and fillerin accordance with the preferred proportions above outlined the borate and the other ingredients being water insoluble and the chlorinated material having water proofing properties to a high degree as above outlined. This composition has the property of penetration to a high degree so that when the fabric is coated with this material it enters into and between the fibers giving the efiect of impregnation. The fabric may however be painted, sprayed or impregnated in any preferred.

manner with or without pressure in excess of atmosphere.

While the invention relates primarily to the treatment of fabrics particularly those containing a large proportion of cellulose the composition which is also of primary importance may be otherwise applied. In the treatment of cellulose fabrics and fibers, it is desirable to include in the treating composition a plasticizer. While the highly chlorinated material previously described in addition to its other functions has a binding effect in attaching the mineral ingredients, which matic phosphate or chlorinated diphenyl and the plasticizer when used is preferably added to the solids before the grinding process which assists in giving a thorough mixture of the ingredients.

The materials selected as above and combined in the proportions to be further discussed are intimately mixed being preferably ground together in a mill to get a uniform and intimate mixture of the ingredients, the insoluble solids being in finely divided form. Highly satisfactory results in the way of a treated fabric which is just as flexible as untreated fabric and retains its fullelasticity and is almost completely fire proof, water proof and mildew proof have been obtained by so combining the materials and treating the fabric that the treated fabric contains the following percentages of the respective materials in proportion to the weight of the fabric; chlorinated organic material approximately 13 to 28%, insoluble borate 2 to 13%, relatively opaque pigment and filler 6 to 23%, plasticizer 6 to 12%, the volatile solvent practically all of which is removed by evaporation preferably from 30 to 55% of the weight of the fabric, it being further understood that as the proportions of pigment and filler are increased the proportions of insoluble borate may be reduced and that all of the constituents are capable of further variation, however, it is believed that the most satisfactory result is obtained as above described.

According to the best information now obtainable, the chlorinated hydrocarbon is usable to some degree of satisfaction in proportions of 8 to 50% of the weight of the fabric, the borate from 1 to 30%, the pigment from 4 to the plasticizer from 3 to 20% the borate being varied inversely to the amount of pigment and filler and the plasticizer being possibly omitted when certain of the chlorinated materials are used, though the plasticizer has an important effect in aflixing the solids and maintaining the pliability and elasticity of the fabric.

The chlorinated material in too large proportions tend to make the fabric tacky which is undesirable in the majority of uses and the inorganic substances in too large proportions to the other ingredients give too much loading. and may not be permanently afllxed. The quantity of volatile solvent is capable of considerable variation it having been found feasible to use from 20 to 70% of the weight of the material being treated.

In the practice of the invention in the preferred form, after the volatile solvent is driven off from the cloth a number 12 duck treated by immersion of the equivalent, which fabric un treated weights 11.5 ounces to the yard, is increased in weight 70%. With the heavier fabrics there may be less complete treatment at the center and less proportionate increase in weight, or these fabrics may be' treated under pressure or by longer immersion to give complete impregnation. All these fabrics may be lightly treated if desired.

While the composition is capable of variation in its proportions in accordance with the data already given, the preferred composition contains approximately 15 to 60% of highly chlorinated organic material, with this percentage is included the plasticizer which is most desirable in the treatment of fabric, according to the percentages above given it would comprise not more than one half the chlorinated material in the.

higher percentage grades above and would generally comprise a much smaller proportion, 5

to 20% of the insoluble borate, 5 to 10% of the inorganic inert pigment, 5 to 15% of the loading'agent, the remainder of the bulk being solvent. The most satisfactory composition contains 20% chlorinated material and plasticizer and 10 to 15% borate.

We have thus described a treated fabric and fiber and a treating composition for the same whereby, the fabric and fiber are given fire, wa-

ter and mildew resisting properties to the highest degree, the elasticity, flexibility and strength of the fabric being fully retained and/or increased; while the description is regarded as specific being so stated in order that the application of the invention may be fully understood,

the materials and proportions are capable of wide variation without departure from the spirit of the invention, further, the specific terms herein are used descriptively rather than in a limiting sense, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

' 1. A fire, water and mildew proofing composition for cotton and similar fabrics containing a high percentage of cellulosefibers a substantial proportion of the composition consisting of organic matter which is substantially chlorinated and which is solid or semi-solid at normal room temperatures .and has water proofing properties, a volatile solvent for the chlorinated material the composition also containing substantial proportions of borate substantially insoluble in water, the same being in finely divided form and insoluble in said volatile solvent and fusible at the combustion temperatures of said fabrics and a pigment to protect the chlorinated material from decomposition by the action of light all said materials being mixed with substantial uniformity, the solvent being suflicient to render the composition capable of application by brushing, spraying, or dipping.

2. A fire, water and mildew proofing comrmsition for cotton and similar fabrics containing a high percentage of cellulose fibers and other materials a substantial proportion of the composition consisting of organic matter which is substantially 60% chlorinated and which is solid or semi-solid at normal room temperatures and has water proofing properties and is decomposable at the combustion temperatures of said fabrics, releasing gases containing chlorine, a volatile solvent for the chlorinated material, the composition also containing substantial proportions of water insoluble borate in finely divided form and insoluble in said volatile solvent and a pigment to protect the chlorinated material from decomposition and a plasticizer, all said materials being mixed with substantial uniformity.

3. A composition for the treatment of inflammable fabrics and other materials to give them fire, water and mildew resisting properties comprising highly organic material containing approximately 60% chlorine and adapted to decompose at the combustion temperature of said fabrics, said chlorinated material also having water proofing properties to a high degree which material is normally solid or semi-solid at room temperatures, a volatile solvent for this material sufiicient to thin the composition a metal borate in finely divided form, the borate being substantially insoluble in water and also in said volatile solvent and being fusible at combustion temperature and pigment also in finely divided form and insoluble in water and in said solvent and adapted to protect the chlorinated material from decomposition the chlorinated material being approximately 20% and the borate 10 to 15% of the composition all said materials being thoroughly mixed.

4. A composition for the treatment of cotton and similar fabrics and other materials to give them fire, water and mildew resisting properties comprising organic material which is approximately 60% chlorinated, is solid or semi-solid at ordinary room temperatures and has water proofing properties and which decomposes at the combustion temperatures of said fabrics, giving of! gases containing chlorine, a volatile solvent for this material to thin the composition for application, a mineral in the nature of a metal borate in finely divided form which mineral ls fusible at the said combustion temperature and is insoluble in water and also in the said volatile solvent, the composition also containing a pigment in finely divided form and adapted to protect the chlorinated material from premature decomposition by action of the light the chlorinated material and the borate comprising approximately one third of the composition exclusive of the solvent and being present in the proportions of approximately two to three parts of insoluble borate to four parts of chlorinated material all said materials being thoroughly mixed.

5. A fire, water, and mildew-proofing compound for the treatment of cotton and similar fabrics and other materials, comprising an organic material which is highly chlorinated, having approximately 60% chlorine content, and being solid or semi-solid at normal temperatures, the chlorinated material having water-proofing properties to a high degree and being decomposed by heat at the combustion temperatures of said fabrics, releasing gases containing chlorine, a plasticizer, and a volatile solvent for the chlorinated material, which evaporates in drying, the composition also including, mixed with the chlorinated material in finely divided form, a water-insoluble inert material part of which has pigmental properties and is adapted to protect the chlorinated material from dechlorination by light, and a metal borate insoluble in the solvent and substantially insoluble in water and fusible at the combustion temperatures of said fabrics, approximately one-third of the composition exclusive of the solvent consisting of said chlorinated material, the remainder of the solids consisting of borate, filler, plasticizer, and pigment.

6. A fire, water, and mildew-proofing compound for the treatment of cotton or similar fabrics and other materials, comprising a highlychlorinated organic material having approximately 60% chlorine content and being solid or semi-solid at normal room temperatures, said chlorinated material having water-proofing properties to a high degree and being decomposable at the combustion temperatures of said fabrics, releasing gases containing chlorine, a volatile solvent for the chlorinated material, which is evaporated in drying, the composition also having mixed therein in finely-divided form a waterinsoluble inert material including pigment, adapted to protect the chlorinated material from dechlorination by light, and a metal borate also in finely-divided form and substantially insoluble in water and in said solvent and adapted to fuse at the said combustion temperatures, the chlorinated material composing approximately 20% and the borate from 10% to 15% of the composition.

7. The method of treating a cellulose fiber or fabric to give them fire, water and mildew resisting properties which consists in applying a single treatment of a composition containing 40 to 80% chlorinated hydrocarbon which is solid or semisolid at normal room temperatures and has water proofing properties and also containing intimately mixed therewith a plasticizer, a metal borate and an inorganic inert pigment, and a volatile solvent for the chlorinated material and plasticizer, the

chlorinated material and the plasticizer beingdissolved in the volatile solvent in which the other materials are insoluble and evaporating the solvent, all said materials being water insoluble, the pigment serving to protect the chlorinated material from dechlorination by light and weather, the chlorinated material being decomposable and the borate being fusible at the combustion temperatures of the cellulose.

8. A cellulose fabric impregnated with 40 to 80% chlorinated hydrocarbon which is solid or semi-solid at normal room temperatures, the same being a dispersion on and in said fabric from a solution in a volatile solvent of said chlorinated hydrocarbon and being intimately mixed with a substantially water-insoluble metal borate and an inert waterlinsoluble pigment sufiicient to protect the chlorinated material from decomposition by the light and weather, the fabric retaining its full strength and flexibility, the borate being fusible and the chlorinated material being decomposed releasing chlorine gases at the combustion temperatures of the fabric.

9. A cellulose fiber or fabric comprising cellulose, the same being impregnated with highly chlorinated parafiln having approximately chlorine content, the chlorinated material being solid or semi-solid at normal temperatures, and comprising approximately 8 to 50% of the weight of the fiber, and being in the form of a dispersion from a volatile solvent which is evaporated in drying the product, and having combined therewith a finely divided inert solid material, part of which is a salt which is substantially insoluble in water, and is fusible at the combustion temperatures of the fabric, the said salt being selected from the group consisting of zinc borate, manganous borate, magnesium borate, and manganese borate, and part of which is of a pigmental nature having the effect of protecting the fiber from the action of chlorine by protecting the chlorinated material, preventing dechlorination of the material by weathering, the chlorinated material having water proofing properties and also serving when subjected to near combustion temperatures to discharge chlorine and thus exclude the oxygen required to support combustion, the salt being in sufficient quantities to form, when fused, a protective coating on the fibers which resists creeping of the fire and glowing, the fabric retaining its original appearance except as to color, and its full strength, fire resisting properties, and flexibility throughout a long period of exposure to the weather.

10. A treated cellulose fiber or fabric impregnated with chlorinated organic material selected from the group consisting of chlorinated rubber, chlorinated paraffin, chlorinated vinyl-resin, and chlorinated oils, namely, straw-colored petroleum oil, tung oil, castor oil, soya bean oil and fish oil and having in the vicinity of 60% chlorine content the chlorinated material having water proofing properties and having mixed therewith in powderous form inert material part of which is a pigment protecting the organic material from dechlorination thus protecting the fiber from the zinc borate, the chlorinated material serving to give off chlorine at the combustion temperatures of the fabric excluding the oxygen which is necessary to support combustion, the impregnating or coating material also including a plasticizer, the fabric retaining its full pliability and elasticity andthe full strength of the untreated fiber.

11. A treated cellulose fiber or fabric containing by impregnation approximately 13 to 28% of the weight of the fabric of approximately 60% chlorinated organic material selected from the group consisting of chlorinated rubber, chlorinated paraifin, chlorinated vinyl-resin and chlorinated oils, namely, straw-colored petroleum oil, tung oil, castor oil, soya bean oil and fish oil solid or semi-solid at normal temperatures, dispersed therein, the chlorinated material being a dispersion from a volatile solvent and having mixed therewith in finely divided form inert material including a salt selected from the group consisting of manganous borate, manganese borate, magnesium borate, and zinc borate which is fusible at or below the combustion temperature of the fabric and substantially insoluble in water and other water insoluble solid pigmental material adapted to protect the chlorinated material from the action of light, the dispersion agency being a volatile solvent for the chlorinated material in which the inert materials are insoluble, the treated fabric retaining its' full strengtha-and flexibility.

12. A treated fabric comprising cellulose fibers and containing by impregnation approximately 13 to 28% of the weight of the fabric of substantially 40% to 80% chlorinated organic material selected from the group consistingof chlorinated rubber, chlorinated parafiln, chlorinated vinylresin and chlorinated oils, namely, straw-colored petroleum oil, tung oil, castor oil, soya bean oil and fish oil, approximately 13 to 2% of a solid powdered material which is selected from the group consisting of manganous borate, manganese borate, magnesium borate and zinc borate, and is substantially insoluble in water 6 to 23% of other inert solid material including pigment which protects the chlorinated material from dechlorination, said solid materials also being water insoluble, the chlorinated material being a dispersion from a volatile solvent of said material which does not dissolve the borate or the inert material, and the solid materials being suspended therein, the treated fabric having water proof, fire proof, and mildew proof properties, and retaining its original appearance except color, the solvent being wholly evaporated in drying the product.

13. A treated fabric comprising cellulose fibers and coated and impregnated with 8 to 50% of the weight of the fabric of chlorinated organic material selected from the group'consisting of chlorinated rubber, chlorinated parafiin, chlorinated vinyl-resin and chlorinated oils, namely, straw-colored petroleum oil, tung oil, castor oil, soya bean oil, and fish oil, 30 down to 1% of solid material selected from the group consisting of manganous borate and zinc borate, which is substantially insoluble in water and fusible at the combustion temperatures of the fabric, 4 to 40% pigment and filler which is also water insoluble,

the solid being finely divided and suspended in the chlorinated material which is a dispersion from a volatile solvent, and is adapted to decompose and give off chlorine containing gases at said temperatures of combustion ofthe fabric, the solvent being one.which does not dissolve the finely divided solids the chlorinated materialshaving to 40% chlorine content and the treating materials retained in the fabric comprising less than the total weight of the untreated fabric, the treated fabric retaining its full strength and flexibility and its original appearance except for coloration,

14. A cellulose fabric impregnated with a composition comprising 8 to 50% of the weight of the fiber and containing substantial proportions of an organic material which is substantially 60% chlorinated and is solid, or semi-solid at normal room temperatures, and is selected from the group consisting of chlorinated oils, namely straw colored petroleum oil, tung oil, castor oil, soya bean oil, and fish oil, the same having mixed therewith in finely divided form, a mineral which is substantially insoluble in water and fusible at the combustion temperature of the fabric and is selected from the group consisting of manganous borate, manganese borate, magnesium borate, and zinc borate, a similarly divided solid pigment which protects the chlorinated materialfrom the action of light, and an inert filler, the pigment and filler being water insoluble, a plasticizer, and a volatilesolvent for the chlorinated material and plasticizervwhich does not dissolve theother materials, the fabric retaining its full flexibility and its original appearance except coloration and the full strength of the fiber.

15. The method of treating cellulose fiber or fabric to give it fire, water and mildew resisting properties which consists in applying a single treatment of a compostion containing 15 to 30% of 40 to 80% chlorinated organic material selected from the group consisting of chlorinated rubber, chlorinated parafiin, chlorinated vinyl-resin, chlorinated oils, namely, straw-colored petroleum oil, tung oil, castor oil, soya bean oil and fish oil whichmaterial is solid or semi-solid at normal room temperatures, said chlorinated material containing in solid finely divided form 5 to approximately 15% material which is substantially insoluble in water, the same being selected from the group consisting of manganous borate, manganese borate, and zinc borate, and being fusible at the combustion temperatures of the cellulose, and an inorganic inert pigment, a loading agent, and a plasticizer, the composition containing a volatile solvent for the chlorinated material and plasticizer in which all of the materials are thoroughly mixed, the product being dried to discharge the solvent, and retaining its full flexibility and its natural appearance except for coloration'and also retaining the full strength of the fibers. I

16. A treated fire, water and mildew- -resisting cellulose fiber or fabric impregnated with 40 to 80% chlorinated organic material which is solid or semi-solid at normal room temperatures, the chlorinated material having combined therewith by suspension therein an inert solid mineral in finely divided form and having light absorbing and filling properties whereby the chlorinated material is protected from dechlorination on exposure to the weather the chlorinated material being a deposit from a volatile solvent of said material and serving as a water proofing agent and also serving at and immediately below the combustion temperature of the fiber to discharge chlorine gases and exclude oxygen, the inert material being insoluble in water and in said solvent,

- and consisting in part of a salt substantially insoluble in water and which" does not give of! oxygen when heated and is fusible at the combustion temperatures of the fabric, the same being in sufiicient quantity to form, when fused, a coating which prevents the creeping of the fire, the fibers of the fabric, after treatment being exposed to view on the surface and the fabric retaining its full strength and flexibility.

1'1. The method of treating a cellulose fiber or fabric to give them fire, water and mildew resisting properties which consists in applying a single treatment of a composition containing 40 to 80% chlorinated hydrocarbon which is solid or semisolid at normal room temperatures and has water proofing properties and also containing intimately mixed therewith a plasticizer, a salt which does not give off oxygen when heated and an inorganic inert pigment, and a volatile solvent for the chlorinated material and plasticizer, the chlorinated material and the plasticizer being dissolved in the volatile solvent in which the other materials are insoluble and evaporating the solvent, all said materials being water insoluble, the pigment serving to protect the chlorinated material from dechlorination by light and weather, the

chlorinated material being decomposable and the said salt being fusible at the combustion temperatures of the cellulose.

18. A cellulosic fabric of a porous nature impregnated with 40 to 80% chlorinated hydrocaricon which is solid or semi-solid at normal room temperatures, the same being a deposit on and in said fabric from a solution in a volatile solvent of said chlorinated hydrocarbon and being intimately mixed with a substantially water insoluble salt which does not give ofi oxygen when heated and an inert water insoluble pigment sufiicient to protect the chlorinated material from decomposition by the light and weather, the fabric retaining its full strength and flexibility, the said salt being fusible and the chlorinated material being decomposed releasing chlorine gases at the combustion temperatures of the fabric.

19. A fire, water and mildew proofing composition' for cotton and similar fabrics containing a high percentage of cellulose fibers a substantial [proportion of the composition consisting of organic matter which is substantially 60% chlorinated and which is solid or semi-solid at normal room temperatures and has water proofing properties, a volatile solvent for the chlorinated material the composition also containing substantial proportions of a salt which does not give of! oxygen when heated and is substantially insoluble in water, the same being in finely divided form and insoluble in said volatile solvent and fusible at the combustion temperatures of said fabrics and a pigment to protect the chlorinated material from decomposition by the action of light all said materials being mixed with substantial uniformity, the solvent being sufiicient to render the composition capable of application by brushing, spraying or dippin 20. A fire, water and mildew proofing composition for cotton and similar fabrics and other porous cellulosic materials containing a high percentage of cellulose fibers and other materials a substantial proportion of the composition consisting of organic matter which is substantially 60% chlorinated and which is solid or semi-solid 15 at normal room temperatures and has water proofing properties and is decomposable at the combustion temperatures of said fabrics, releasing gases containing chlorine, a volatile solvent for the chlorinated material, the composition also containing substantial proportions of water insoluble salt which does not give off oxygen when heated, the same being in finely divided form and insoluble in said volatile solvent, the same being suflicient to form when fused a fire resisting coating on the fabric, and a pigment to protect the chlorinated material from decomposition and a plasticizer, all said materials being mixed with substantial uniformity.

21. A fire, water, and mildew-proofing compound for the treatment of cotton and similar fabrics and other materials, comprising an organic material which is highly chlorinated having approximately chlorine content, and being solid or semi-solid at normal temperatures, the chlorinated material having water-proofing properties to a high degree and being decomposed by heat at the combustion temperatures of said fabrics, releasing gases containing chlorine, a plasticizer, and a volatile solvent for the chlorinated material which evaporates in drying, the composition also including, mixed with the chlorinated material in finely divided form, a water-insoluble inert material part of which has pigmental properties and is adapted to protect the chlorinated material from dechlorination by light, and a salt which does not give off oxygen when heated and is insoluble in the solvent and substantially insoluble in Water and fusible at the combustion temperatures of said fabrics, approximately one-third of the composition exclusive of the solvent consisting of said chlorinated material, the remainder of the solids consisting of said salt, filler, plasticizer and pigment.

22. A fire, water and mildew resisting composition for treating cotton and other cellulosic materials of a porous nature, the substantial portion of the composition consisting of 40 to chlorinated paraflin oil, a. volatile solvent for said chlorinated material, the composition also containing substantial proportions of zinc ,borate, in finely divided form, suspended in said chlorinated parafiin oil and a pigment to protect the chlorinated material from decomposition and a plasticizer, said materials being mixed with substantial uniformity with a volatile solvent for said chlorinated material.

23. A cellulose fabric impregnated with 40 to 80% chlorinated hydrocarbon which is solid or semi-solid to normal room temperatures, the same being a dispersion on and in said fabric from a solution in a volatile solvent of said chlorinated hydrocarbon and being intimately mixed with a substantially water-insoluble metal borate in finely divided form and a water insoluble pigment sufiicient to substantially protect the chlorinated material from decomposition by light and weather, a substantial portion of said pigment being an oxide selected from the group consisting of chromium oxide, titanium oxide, and antimony oxide, the fabric retaining its full strength and flexibility, the borate being fusible and the chlorinated material being decomposed releasing chlorine gases at the combustion temtures of the fabric.

24. A cellulose fabric impregnated with 40 to 80% chlorinated hydrocarbon which is, solid or semi-solid at normal room temperatures, the same being a dispersion on and in said fabric from a solution in a volatile solvent of said chlorinated hydrocarbon and being intimately mixed with a substantially water-insoluble metal borate in finely divided form and a water insoluble pigment sufiicient to substantially protect the chlorinated material from decomposition by light and weather, a. substantial proportion of said pigment being antimony oxide, the fabric retaining its full strength and flexibility, the borate being fusible and the chlorinated material being decomposed releasing chlorlne gases at the combustion temperatures of the fabric.

EDWIN C. CLAYTON. LAWRENCE L. HEFFNER. 

